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2005 Nissan Frontier engine complaints

Page 4 of 7: complaints 71 to 100 of 186, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2005 Nissan Frontier engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jun 24, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 87,501 miles · CA

I found out a faulty engineered control valve assembly caused radiator and transmission failure in my vehicle. It happened less then a month outside & 7000 mi over the extended warranty. Extension for the warranty to 80,000 was put in place for a class action law suit for this item back in 2010. In 2010 my vehicle did not even have 50,000 so none of this applied to me! Nor did nissan do the right thing and recall my truck prior knowing this part fails after 80000! All the people this happens to after this law suit went down are out of luck because too much time has passed. So, I as a consumer who takes care of their vehicle and keeps low miles, has to pay big money to fix this problem! I called nissan headquarters to do the right thing. They said because of the judgment of the class action law suit, they can not honor my request to do the right thing. I have to pay $2500 to fix my truck! I asked if I had to sue independently and take to twitter to help my cause? The gal on the other end of the phone (highest person up the chain I could reach) said; "yes mam, I'm sorry mam, but I guess that's what you have to do. My hands are tied by this judgment I can do nothing for you"! I feel completely ripped off and deceived by nissan!!! Is there a possibility you can come to my aid and direct me how I may get this covered? This has become a major hardship!

Filed Jun 10, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 124,950 miles · CO

I was at a stop light and when it turned green my truck felt like it was stuck in neutral and wouldn't get into gear. With hesitation, it finally jumped into gear but was very sluggish with hardly any power. It was quite dangerous with a line of vehicles behind me I thought I was going to get rear-ended. Thankfully I was only 2 minutes from my office where I was able to pull in the parking lot and unload my two children and call my wife to pick us up. I had to have my car sit there over the weekend because I didn't feel safe driving it. On the following monday I had it towed to a transmission repair shop where they diagnosed it as a cracked radiator head with coolant leaking into the transmission causing this failure. I then had it towed again to the nissan dealership where they diagnosed it and confirmed the first diagnosis. They said unfortunately I was over the mileage and to call the national nissan dealership and petition for assistance. After looking up all the information I find it discerning that nissan hasn't done the right thing and recalled this to make it right.

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 84,000 miles · OR

A crack in the radiator has caused coolant to mix with the transmission fluid. This has resulted in catastrophic failure of the transmission requiring the replacement of the transmission and complete radiator replacement. I have been quoted a total cost of close to $5000.

Filed Apr 28, 2014 · Engine · 134,000 miles · WA

Engine dies without warning. While traveling on a busy road, my 2005 nissan frontier's engine just stopped running without warning. This is not a new complaint, numerous nissan owners have complained about this. The federal safety agency campaign number: 10v517000 (recall) is/was supposed to address this issue but does not. Nissan and the federal safety agency have failed to adequately address the safety issue with the above referenced recall. It is an intermittent problem that occurs even after going to nissan and having the ECM relay within the ipdm replaced per the recall. Nissan and the federal safety agency have failed to protect the general public by permitting a known safety issue to be masked by an ineffective fix. There is no data available to the public to support niissan's or the federal safety agency's assertion that a failed steering diode within the ECM relay (located within the ipdm) is the cause of the reported engine stop running incidents. The real fix, and the more costly fix for nissan, is the replacement of the ECM and possibly the ipdm too. Nissan pooled the wool over the eyes of the federal safety agency and the federal safety agency went along with the manufacturer - both entities have failed to protect the consumer from this dangerous condition. I'm lucky in that my 2005 nissan frontier has a manual transmission so that when the failure occurs I can more easily maintain speed and control in order to roll the vehicle over to the side of the road. I am a competent vehicle mechanic and engineer by education and training and I have spent untold hours meticulously troubleshooting this problem with my vehicle, and after incorporating the recall fix and numerous other fixes directly related, my vehicle's engine continues to stop running without warning. The federal safety agency needs to step up it's watchdog efforts, re-open the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v517000 and force nissan to adequately protect the consumer from this engine stops running without warning safety issue.

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 154,000 miles · NC

Transmission coolin in the radiator ruptured causing complete failure of the transmission.

Filed Mar 24, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 119,000 miles · NJ

Vibration in motor like driving over grooved pavement - on and off again for months before realizing it was the radiator and transmission problem that occurs in these trucks and SUV's. I don't want to pay $6,000 to fix a defect. They should pay no matter when it happens.

Filed Mar 17, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 110,000 miles · AL

Radiator leaked antifreeze into the transmission. Transmission has to be rebuilt/ replace and radiator has to be replaced.

Filed Mar 16, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · TX

I currently own a 2005 nissan frontier. 3 months ago, the vehicle had been stalling on me every several days, it would immediately turn back on. Last month it began shutting down on me every 2 days, a few times on the highway, almost getting rear ended a couple of times. It would turn back on, but after several tries and after 15-20 min wait. After checking recalls on my vehicle I noticed I had not been contacted about a recall for the replacement of a ECM relay, which was causing vehicles to shutdown. This relay was replaced and vehicle had been running fine for 3 weeks, but my vehicle has now started to sputter every few days. It has shutdown on me twice in the last couple of weeks.

Filed Mar 14, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 67,350 miles · TX

I was driving along on a major interstate at 65 MPH when my engine was revving up to about 3500 or 4000 RPM but my speed was dropping. I pulled over to the right hand side of the road, stopped and turned the vehicle off. Had I not been in the right lane of the major interstate when traffic was very light, I could have had a major accident. Everything seemed normal except the low coolant level in the reservoir bottle. There did not appear to be any problems with the engine so then I placed the truck into drive and moved the vehicle forward. As the vehicle picked up speed and at about the 35 to 40 MPH the truck engine would rev up but the transmission was slipping and not allowing the truck to move any faster. When I took the screw off the transmission dipstick to see that fluid level was too high for the proper level in the automatic transmission. Also, I noticed that the fluid had a greyish milky appearance which is a clear indication of contamination with a water based material such as engine coolant.I find the fact nissan clearly knew that was a problem and failed to notify me as the original owner of the vehicle annoying. They would rather pay to have vehicle repaired after the fact than take care of a potential safety problem before it occurs. This is extremely troublesome when a manufacturer places profits and the bottom line ahead of customer safety. Upon further research, I have learned that I could have replaced the faulty radiator with another product from koyorad for about $120 retail and prevented this problem. So for a couple hundred dollars, nissan is willing to jeopardize my safety and all other nissan owners safety. As the national safety agency, I implore you act immediately and order a recall on these nissan vehicles before people get hurt. It is your duty to protect the people of the nation from safety issues when manufacturers fail to do so.

Filed Mar 4, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 142,855 miles · MO

Sitting at a stop light with right foot on brake, waiting for light to change. As light changed applied pressure to gas pedal but the vehicle would not move the engine would just rev up. Put the vehicle in park and turn off the engine waited a moment then turned the vehicle back on and put the transmission in drive, vehicle began to move but the transmission acted like it was slipping. Drove vehicle to dealer and they said that the transmission had failed on vehicle and it would need a new one. Paid 5,321.74 to have transmission replaced. Dealer said transmission failure was due to a radiator issue on vehicle.

Filed Mar 3, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 137,000 miles · TN

While driving on the interstate my truck began a small intermittent shudder, as if driving over rumble strips. This occurred 2 or 3 times. The next week the shuddering recurred. Scheduled and appointment with my local nissan dealership. They very quickly diagnosed the problem. They indicated it was a common problem with this vehicle where the transmission cooler fails and intakes radiator coolant into the transmission. The indicate the transmission will in all likely hood need to be rebuilt.

Filed Feb 10, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · CA

This issues is with a 2005 nissan frontier le. Shuddering at approximately 40-45 MPH (seems to be while shifting) and sometimes between 80-85 MPH. The sound and feel of this shuddering is very similar to driving over highway hazard speed bumps. I initially thought that road work had been done in certain areas and didn't realize the effect was emanating from my truck. Loss of horse power and miles per gallon are also a symptom of this issue. Some jerking movements in the lower ranges of shifting. During the shuddering it feels as though the tranny is trying to catch the next gear. If I accelerate or decelerate passed the above ranges the shuddering subsides till the next time I cross those ranges. This description is of the final symptoms at their very worst for my individual experience, leading up to this points has been gradual signs of the same issues beginning at the 50k-60k mileage ranges. Even though, to date, nissan corporate has known of this defect their dealerships/service depts seemed to be completely unaware of the issue till I was well passed the extended warranty (class action lawsuit imposed). At that point they became very informative of the problem and its symptoms. On several occasions (months if not yrs ago) I had mentioned these symptoms and was told fluids were checked and ok'd by techs and service reps, but reading into the issue now I have learned it is very easy to spot if you truly do know what you are looking for or actually check the fluids as I suspect they never did.

Filed Feb 1, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 143,000 miles · NC

I noticed as I was driving vehicle started to have shaking or vibrating/jerking ( at different speeds), it seems to hesitate when I increase speed. My technician thinks something is going on with transmission or torque converter. Concerned vehicle may break / stop running.

Filed Jan 24, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 91,250 miles · SC

Transmission failure related to coolant leaking into the transmission from the radiator oil coolant assemble. Nissan will not cover the complete cost of this know defect.

Filed Jan 23, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 95,000 miles · CA

Transmission failure related to coolant from the radiator oil coolant assemble.

Filed Jan 18, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 170,000 miles · FL

The transmission started jerking very bad when it hit 1700 RPM range while driving, so I slowed down...scared. I went and had it checked only to find out it is very common with this truck - fluid in transmission caused from the trans fluid running through the radiator and the heat exchange leaks water into the trans fluid. This is a well documented problem I learned. The repair is not covered by nissan and is a 5000 dollar repair at nissan dealership, a total transmission and radiator replacement is needed.

Filed Jan 15, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 112,191 miles · KS

The radiator failed causing the the transmission fluid to get contaminated with coolant. This caused the transmission to fail resulting in a nearly $5,000 bill.

Filed Jan 4, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · AL

At 45mph the truck started jerking and I thought it was going to stall out. When I got it to my mechanic we found radiator coolant had contaminated the transmission fluid.

Filed Dec 29, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 107,900 miles · TX

Passing other vehicle on I-45 towards downtown at approximately 70 MPH the engine experienced intermittent stalling. I was in danger to crash others with problems to get our of the high speed lines. At that moment the engine totally stalled ,. Finally I was able to reach the extreme right line and pull out waiting for a complete stop. I tried to restart the engine but no help. I did not believe it but wanted be sure that no lack of fuel was the origin because I already had the problem with fuel sending unit problem which do not work properly to accurately show how much fuel is on the fuel tank. I got some extra fuel. We returned and poured the 1 gallon can , then I tried to star the engine. It cranked but no starting. I called my insurance requesting towing service . I tried two more times and after that the engine started roughly and hesitating. After 2 minutes and stabilized I decided to continue. I called my insurance company to cancel the towing service . Decided to continue on I-45 but on the extreme right hand side line. I arrived home with no other issues and after parking on my driveway, shut down the engine, then I tried to restart it but nothing . Only cranking good but no starting at all. Finally after some like 10 seconds of cranking, the engine hesitated but started. I took it to autozone , they scanned it and gave me the codes p043 for the failed fuel sendin unit ( fuel level sensor ) and the code p0335 which is problem with the circuit or signal or sensor crankshaft. I made search to find it and today, sunday 29, after several hours, finally removed and replaced it. After this the truck starts very good as usually before the stalling experiences. Cost was some like 23 dollar but the risk in what I was and exposing others has no price. Is necessary to have a crash or fatal results for you to consider this a recall to protect others?

Filed Dec 10, 2013 · Engine · 116,088 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, she attempted to make a turn and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle restarted and resumed normally. The vehicle was previously repaired under a voluntary recall issued by the manufacturer pertaining to the ECM rely. The remedy repair failed to correct the problem because the failure recurred after the repair was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 116,088.

Filed Dec 10, 2013 · Acceleration, Engine · 120,000 miles · GA

2 months ago I had a leak in the radiator and I fixed it. Then after that I start having problem with the transmission. The speed does not change immediately and when it change you feel like some has pushed you from the back. And now the car does not drive anymore.

Filed Dec 6, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 92,540 miles · NJ

The first week of november 2013 while driving at approximately 50-60 MPH, I would intermittently experience shuddering vibrations like the ones you feel when you drive through those highway strips. I did not pay much attention to eat thinking it probably was a minor problem with the tires. 3rd week of november the truck started slipping. I went online to find out what causes the slip and there it was. Hundreds of not just 2005 nissan frontier owners but also xterra's and pathfinder owners from 2005-2010 having the same problem.internet searches came out that at a certain point in the life of the vehicle at average about 90-100t miles, radiator coolant mixes with the transmission fluid due a crack inside the radiator, and the transmission becomes contaminated and eventually fails. After finding out the symptoms of possible contamination I examined my truck's radiator and transmission and found out that indeed transmission oil and coolant had mixed. I immediately replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission thinking that this could still save the transmission. A week ago while at a stop, with the truck on drive and right foot on the brake pedal, I heard a big bang around the transmission area and felt a violent shake and then the truck jerked forward and I almost hit the car in front of me. I was able to bring the car home.I cannot use the truck now out of fear that the transmission will suddenly fail while I'm driving in the freeway and cause or be in an accident. Many owners have reported that when their transmissions failed, their vehicles suddenly lost power in the middle of the highway and almost got into an accident. I called nissan customer service and I was told that this is a known problem with this vehicle and they have extended the radiator and transmission warranty to 100000 miles with a $3000 co-pay.

Filed Dec 2, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 99,453 miles · TX

We where driving on the highway when the trucks engine started to make noises and losing speed. It didn't give any warning, and it completely stopped running. The mechanics diagnostic was " c/s transmission wont move and mil is on.vehicle needs a transmission and radiator due to an internal leak from the cooling system in to transmission" we took it to the nissan agency because of the warranty but they refused to respect the warranty even though I have I have two diagnostics from different mechanics explaining that I have that same problem, nissan is not making its self responsible even though its trucks have a factory defect.

Filed Nov 21, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 81,000 miles · NY

Driving home from post office in august 2010 truck would not exceed 35 MPH and started to shake intensely. I got it towed to the dealer who diagnosed $9500 to fix, I was over mileage by about 1500 miles so all out of pocket. I parked it immediately due to lack of funds, much due to a $565 payment for a $30k new truck for 5plus years. Nissan north america denied me any assistance, and was actually more rude than the have the least bit of empathy while I was told I did reach the top person who was the final say. Many months passed and I replaced the radiator and other things, so it appeared as I saved the trans from harm by parking it but now at 98000 miles the service engine light is on coding an at brake issue while the tranny is getting jumpy and sluggish again. Quick search returns a big expense and cross contamination most likely did occur and can end up costing me well over $40000 in the long run for a midsize truck that I have owned and took good care of since new and I cant even get rid of it now except for losing even more money...very unhappy as an owner of 4 nissans in my time I really expected a quality product, now I worry about when it could go, as I was recently laid off I don't have the money for repairs or another car.

Filed Nov 1, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 145,000 miles · UT

The transmission failed caused by a ruptured seal in the radiator.

Filed Oct 8, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 120,000 miles · FL

Radiator ruptured and coolant leaked into transmission causing transmission problems and had to be fixed. Transmission performance declined and then could not drive vehicle.

Filed Sep 17, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 102,000 miles · WV

After buying the truck from a dealership, I was driving home. I got about 5 miles from the dealership when the vehicle started shaking. I took it to a nissan dealership to who confirmed what I was afraid of. There was coolant in the transmission fluid. We submitted it to the warranty company that I had purchased a warranty from when I bought the truck only to find out that since the transmission failure was due to an uncovered part(oil cooler) they would not honor the warranty. After doing more research on the problem and seeing as many claims of this issue how has nissan not recalled the transmission? It is obvious that this normally does not normally happen until after the extended warranty ends. Like everyone else I am looking at a $6000+ repair bill, and until I can come up with that money I have to look outside at my $12,000 lawn ornament...

Filed Sep 13, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 107,400 miles · NC

At the time of the transmission failure I had no prior signs of a problem. As I was merging on to the 4 lane at a speed of about 45-50 MPH the truck began shaking violently. I thought I had gotten some bad fuel because I had just filled the fuel. The shaking somewhat smoothed out at about 60 MPH, though the truck was lacking normal power, and would shudder when pulling a grade. I drove the truck about 10 miles and stopped to get some fuel treatment because I still thought I was having fuel problems. At this point the truck began to act as if the transmission was in neutral, then the transmission would grab and jar the truck violently. At this time I was in heavy traffic and nearly hit. I barely got the truck to my mechanic. Further inspection by my mechanic showed antifreeze in the transmission. I had to have the transmission totally rebuilt and replaced the radiator, at a cost of about $4,000. About a year prior I had the transmission flushed, replaced filter and fluid as preventative maintenance. The truck has been maintained properly because I planned to keep the truck for long term. My truck is past the warranty so total cost is incurred by me.

Filed Aug 22, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 130,000 miles · TX

While driving the vehicle loss power and almost stalled. This happened a couple of times while driving on the highway, approx. 50mph. The second time it happened, the ses light and slip light came on. This vehicle was covered by a recall for the ECM that caused a similar issue. The ECM was replaced by a certified nissan service center. The replacement was done 12/29/10. Now, it is happening again. A bit of research shows that nissan has issued a voluntary recall for camshaft sensors that cause a very similar problem. However, because my VIN is not currently under that recall, I can't have nissan replace them. This is a safety issue. The vehicle looses power then stalls while traveling in heavy traffic at 50-60 MPH. That can cause a major accident and affect not only myself but others. I feel nissan should expand their recall to include nissan frontiers, not just altima, etc. Nissan has been contacted and they have opened a case file #[xxx]. No resolution has been offered by them. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 20, 2013 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 90,780 miles · PA

Started it up... Hardly moved. Squeaking sound under the hood. Looks like the infamous radiator leak into the transmission....

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